Drafter
Clerk 10/13/2004
title
A MOTION declaring the King County council's opposition to the November 2004 Ballot Measure Initiative 892, which would authorize licensed gambling establishments to operate electronic scratch ticket machines.
body
WHEREAS, Initiative 892 would legalize electronic scratch ticket machines at restaurants, taverns, bowling alleys and other establishments, and
WHEREAS, legalizing electronic scratch ticket machines would result in a near doubling of the amount of gambling in Washington state, and
WHEREAS, gambling expansion results in increased government and social costs to address theft, bankruptcy, homelessness, addictions, child neglect and domestic violence, and
WHEREAS, gambling expansion harms the poor, women and people of color in disproportionate numbers, and
WHEREAS, Initiative 892 would override local laws restricting gambling and allow slot machines even in cities that have chosen to ban casinos, such as Seattle, Bellevue and Bothell, and
WHEREAS, Initiative 892 would allow slot machines in bars and restaurants which do not currently host casinos, thus bringing gambling to neighborhoods where such intense gambling is currently not permitted, and
WHEREAS, the highest priority of state government is to protect its citizens;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT MOVED by the Council of King County:
The metropolitan King County council supports the preservation of local control of gambling in King County; and
The metropolitan King County council is opposed to Initiative 892 and urges
voters of King County to cast their ballots against the measure at the election on November 2, 2004.